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erection and equipment of the new workshop. The debit balance of £1,513 13s. Bd. in the Wanganui School Sites Account includes ajliability of £1,520 for rent advanced by the Department for the Wanganui Technical College grounds, to be repaid by the Board at such time as funds are available in the account. The credit balance in the Alexander Bequest Account was £2,598 12s. 9d., and in the Rees Bequest Account £1,493 18s. sd. Late Mr. Pirani. —By the death of Mr. Fred Pirani, which occurred during the year, the Dominion lost a keen and able educationist. The late Mr. Pirani was elected to this Board in June, 1895, and after twenty-five years of continuous service resigned in July, 1920, owing to change of place of residence. It may be truly said that Mr. Pirani devoted the best years of his life to strenuous labours in promoting the welfare of the children, and only those who knew him intimately were aware of the extent to which he sacrificed his personal interests in striving to achieve his ideals. With him the interests of the little ones came first, and he regarded his work as a labour of love on their behalf. The many excellent buildings which this district possesses, and the manner in which they are equipped, serve as a monument to the progressive policy which he was largely instrumental in formulating and carrying into effect. General.—l desire to convey to members of the School Committees throughout the district the Board's hearty appreciation of the interest they have displayed in their schools, and for their willing co-operation with the Board in any undertakings appertaining to the improvement of these schools and their surroundings. I wish also to convey to the teachers the Board's thanks for the loyal manner in which they have carried out their duties. Mr. F. G. A. Stuckey, Senior Inspector, was promoted to the position of Senior Inspector of the Otago District during the year. It was with regret that the Board said farewell to him. Mr. N. T. Lambourne was appointed to succeed Mr. Stuckey. Mr. R. B. Ryder, Assistant Inspector, retired on superannuation after long and efficient service as teacher and Inspector; he was succeeded by Mr. N. H. S. Law. As in former years, the inspectorial staff rendered the Board every possible assistance in the discharge of its duties. The Secretary and the Architect and their staffs, together with the manual instructors, carried out the duties of their respective positions in an entirely satisfactory manner. To the Minister and the officials of the Department the thanks of the Board are due for the sympathetic consideration given to the Board's requirements. I have, &c., W. A. Collins, Chairman. The Hon. the Minister of Education, Wellington.

HAWKE'S BAY. Sir, — In accordance with the provisions of the Education Act, 1914, the Education Board of the District of Hawke's Bay has the honour to submit the following report of its proceedings for the year 1926 — The Board learned with regret of the retirement from the portfolio of Minister of Education of the Hon. Sir James Parr, from whom the Board had received great consideration and assistance. It desires to congratulate the Hon. R. A. Wright on his appointment to this position, and to assure him of the heartiest co-operation of the Board in regard to all matters educational. The Board. —The personnel of the Board at the end of the year was as follows : Napier Urban Area—Messrs. J. Clark Thomson and R. C. Wright; Gisborne Urban Area —Messrs. G. Crawshaw and J. S. Wauchop ; Hastings Urban Area —Messrs. G. A. Maddison and C. Lassen ; North Ward Rural Area —Messrs. W. Oates and J. R. Kirk ; Middle Rural Ward Area —Messrs. G. McKay and A- King ; South Ward Rural Area —Messrs. R. P. Soundy and W . Cuthbertson. Mr. J. Clark Thomson was elected Chairman of the Board. The only change in the personnel of the Board at the biennial election in August was that Mr. C. Lassen replaced Mr. G. F. Roach, who did not seek re-election. Mr. Roach was a member of the Board for seventeen years, for ten of which he was Chairman, which position he held on his retirement. During his long service he worked capably and untiringly in the cause of education, and his retirement was a distinct loss to the Board and to the district. The Board has placed on record its high appreciation of his long and valuable services. Finance. —The credit cash balance on all accounts on the 31st December, 1926, was £2,588 Bs. Id. By the expenditure during the year of the sum of £415 Os. Bd. from the Rebuilding Fund the fund is for all practical purposes now exhausted. During the past seven year,s the amount of £11,658 ss. lid. has been expended by the Board from this fund. The Maintenance Account, which for several years past has been in an unsatisfactory state, has through careful administration been placed in an improved position. Notwithstanding the restriction which had to be placed on expenditure from this account, all schools have been kept in a satisfactory state of repair. During the past three years the sum of £2,396 18s. 7d. has been spent on desk-replacements. That sum included Government grants of £1,291 Is. 9d. and £977 12s. 6d. from the Rebuilding Fund. It is estimated that the cost of completing these replacements is £2,000. The Board trusts that the Department will provide further funds for this purpose. Schools. —Excluding household schools, new schools were opened during the year in temporary buildings at Arero, East Cape, and Tarawera ; and in new buildings at Crownthorpe, Kaiwaka, and Kotemaori. The school at Mangatoro was reopened after a closure of several years. The following schools were closed : Awariki, Mohaka, and Patangata. The Mohaka School was taken over by the Education Department as a Native school oil the Ist April. Arrangements were made to convey the Patangata children to Otane School.